Method of and apparatus for raising a tent



July 29, 1969 o. J. GLADDEN ET AL 3,457,930

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR RAISING A TENT Filed Dec. 30, 1966 3Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG. 2

FIG. I

FIG. 4

l8 I6 24 I 2 I6 30 INVENTORS:

DAVID V. GLADDEN MICHAEL G. ROY

ATT'YS July 29, 1969 D. J. GLADDEN ET AL 3,457,930

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR RAISING A TENT Filed Dec. 30, 1966 5Sheets-Sheet 2 mm W F INVENTORS: DAVID V. GLADDEN MECHAEL G. ROY

dalqn/ dg ATT'YS July 29, 1969 o. J. GLADDEN ETAL 3,

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR RAISING A TENT Filed Dec. 30, 1966 3Sheets-Sheet 5 4 INVENTORE. E DAVID V GLADDEN I MICHAEL G. ROY sm-fimgmATT'YS US. Cl. 1351 18 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A method forerecting a canvas tent provided with cloth loops along ridges of theroof for holding ridge poles and with eyelets in flaps at the end ofeach ridge. Support poles lock at each end of the ridge poles forsupporting the erected assembly. The base of the tent is first staked tothe ground, and with the tent lying on the ground a ridge pole isinserted through its associated loops. Female parts of the locking jointwhich are fixed at the end of each ridge pole, are hooked to theirassociated eyelets. The ridge pole is extended thereby forcing theappended flaps in opposing directions and defining a line of tensionedcanvas between the eyelets. After each of the ridge poles is thusattached to the tent, it is lifted and held in one hand thereby raisingthe canvas to a partially-erected position, and the support pole isinserted through the eyelet in locking engagement with the femalesection of the locking joint. First one end and then the other of eachridge pole is thus erected.

SUMMARY This invention relates to a method of and apparatus for raisinga tent; more particularly, this invention relates to a method of andapparatus for raising a cottage type of tent wherein it is desired thatnot more than one person he required for complete erection of the tent.A tent assembly of the type with which the present invention isconcerned comprises four vertical walls arranged in a rectangle and aroof having an inverted V-shape placed over and integral with the walls.This is commonly referred to as a cabin or cottage type tent; and itwill be noted that there are three salient angles defined by the roofand wall surfaces running front to back. In the erected state, ridgepoles extend along these intersections; the center ridge pole lies alongthe peak, and the side ridge poles lie along the eaves of the tent. Thetent material is usually canvas; and it is held in shape by supportpoles fixed in the ground at one end and joined at the other end withthe ridge poles. A locking joint is provided at each junction of a ridgepole and a support pole. The ridge poles are fitted through cloth loopsin the tent and attached to the canvas at the locking joint by means ofan appended flap of canvas provided with an eyelet or grommet.

Tent assemblies with which the present invention is concerned typicallymay be x 8 or 12' x 9', and heretofore, the erection of such tents hasrequired at least two people. The erection method of the presentinvention accomplishes raising of the tent with a minimum of effort andrequires only one person for complete assembly.

It is desirable from the standpoint of securing the structure againstrough weather or otherwise being accidentally dismantled, that a ridgepole, once secured to a support pole, remain secured until the supportpole is removed.

One known locking joint includes a pin member on the support pole whichfits through an eyelet on a tent appendage and is provided with anenlarged diameter adjacent its terminal end for snapping into areceiving United States Patent Patented July 29, 1969 ice aperture on aridge pole. Even though the support pole remains in its assembledposition, it is possible to accidentally disengage the ridge pole inthis known type of joint.

Further, some prior tent assemblies mak use of an extended center ridgepole attached to the canvas between front and rear canopies which areintegral with the tent and form cups or pockets for receiving the ridgepole. The support pole-s were fixed to the ridge poles inward of the endof the extended ridge pole at the tent walls by forcing a pin on thesupport pole through a receiving aperture on the ridge pole.

A principal object of the present invention is to provide a method ofand apparatus for raising a tent which requires only one person forcomplete erection of the tent.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a locking jointfor a tent frame comprising ridge poles and support poles wherein thejoint may not be unlocked without first removing the support pole.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide for alocking joint for tent poles wherein the composition of th joint may beof a relatively rigid plastic material thereby providing a more rigidstructure, yet one that is economical and easily manufactured.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will be understoodfrom the following detailed description of the invention accompanied bythe attached drawing in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cottage type of tent constructionwhich is illustrated for explaining the method of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a close up perspective view of the front side of a connectedlocking joint embodying features of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a lower perspective view of the female portion of the lockingjoint of FIG. 2 showing the concave surfaces which engage the maleportion;

FIG. 4 is a side sectional elevation of the locking joint of FIG. 2;

FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 illustrate a preferred type of extensible ridge polefor use in erecting a tent according to the method of the presentinvention;

FIGS. 8, 9 and 10 illustrate in detail the steps in erecting a tentaccording to the method of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a close up perspective view of a connected locking joint andtent eyelet used in the preferred method of raising a tent; and

FIG. 12 is a side sectional view of a connected alternate embodiment ofa locking joint according to the present invention.

DESCRIPTION FIG. 1 shows a typical cottage tent construction havingthree horizontal ridge poles extending front to back and generallydesignated as 10. A total of six support poles is required, the threefront support poles are shown in the drawing and designated as 12. Theridge poles 10 are of the telescoping type, and will be described inmore detail below. The support poles may also be of the telescopingtype, but need not be. The locking joints connecting the support andridge poles form a locked coupling between the upper ends of the supportpoles 12 at either end of the transverse ridge poles 10, and they aregenerally designated as 14 in FIG. 1.

The ridge poles 10 carry the tent by means of cloth loops 15 on theoutside of the tent. Flaps defining eyelets are appended from the tentat each of the locking joints 14. The lower end of the support poles 12are furnished with a spike or pin (not shown) which is forced into theground, and the spikes preferably are springbiased axially of thesupport pole to maintain vertical tension in the canvas after assembly.

Turning now to FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, the locking joint 14 is shown in moredetail. A flap made of the same material as the tent and appendingtherefrom at a support point is generally designated as 16, and it isfitted with a grommet 18 forming an eyelet (FIG. 4). The axis of ridgepole lies along the horizontal. The part of the locking joint attachedto a ridge pole 10 is hereinafter referred to as the female part of thelocking; and it includes a stopper plate 20 from which a plug 20cprojects perpendicularly (FIG. 3) into the hollow of ridge pole 10. Asseen in FIG. 3, the plug 200 of the female part of the locking jointdefines four axial ribs for attachment to the ridge pole 10. Each of theribs defines a recess, designated as 202 in FIG. 4, which receives anindentation formed by crimping the ridge pole (see 20 of FIG. 3). Thefemale portion of the locking joint is thereby restrained against axialmotion of the ridge pole 10; and, the crimp being hard enough, it isalso prevented from rotating within the ridge pole 10. The male portionof the locking joint is similarly fitted into its associated supportpole, as seen in FIGS. 4 and 12.

A tab 22 having a generally D-shaped periphery is formed at right angleswith the plate 20 away from ridge pole 10. The back of the D is integralwith the lower portion of the plate 20, as seen most clearly in FIGS. 2and 4.

The tab 22 defines a circular aperture 23 for receiving the male portionof the locking joint. Depending from the tab 22 is an L-shaped hookingmember 24 comprising a leg 26 extending radially of the axis of ridgepole 10, and an integral foot portion 28 extending radially from theaxis of the aperture 23. In horizontal section, both the leg 26 and thefoot 28 are curved about a vertical projection of the aperture 23. Theouter convex surface 26a of the leg 26 lies adjacent, and generallyconforms to, the inner circumference of the grommet 18 when the femalepart of the locking joint is offset in the direction of the leg 24 (i.e.when the ridge pole 10 is telescoped) as shown in FIG. 4. In thisposition, the foot 28 forms a lower limiting means and the tab 22 formsan upper limiting means for vertical movement of the grommet 18. As willbe clear from subsequent deescription, the L-shaped member forms a hookfor engaging and securing the grommet in an appended flap.

The part of the locking joint attached to the support pole 12 comprisesa plate 30 and plug 31 integral with the plate 30 and similar to theplug 20c in its attachment to support pole 12. The male part of thelocking joint defines a shoulder 32 extending in a plane generallyperpendicular to the axis of support pole 12. Projecting axially ofsupport pole 12 is a pin or rod 34 of reduced diameter. The pin 34 has ahemispherical top portion 34a suitable for guiding the pin 34 throughthe grommet 18 and through the aperture 24 of the tab 22. In connectedposition, the cylindrical side wall of pin 34 engages the inner concavesurface 36 of the leg 26 and foot 28 of the female part of the lockingjoint, as seen most clearly in FIGS. 4 and 12.

As can be seen from FIG. 4, when the locking joint is connected, thediameter of the pin 34 together with the width of the leg 26 aresufiicient to maintain the foot 28 below the grommet 18 therebypreventing disconnection of the locking joint until the support pole hasbeen removed.

It is further noted that the locking joint of the present invention neednot be made of flexible material, as are some prior locking joints, butpreferably is of a rigid plastic material thereby providing a moredurable and easily connected locking joint.

Referring now the FIGS. 5, 6 and 7, the telescoping ridge poles will bedescribed in so far as is necessary for understanding the presentinvention. A more detailed 4 description thereof may be found in apatent application by Elwood E. Little, entitled Self-Locking AdjustableTent Pole, Ser. No. 587,925, filed Oct. 19, 1966.

Each of the ridge poles 12 is seen to include an outer hollow tubularmember 40. Telescopically received within the outer hollow tube 40 is aninner tubular member 42. The inner tubular member 42 fits snugly withinthe outer tubular member 40, but it is freely rotatable and slideabletherein. The inner tubular member 42 defines a plurality of notches 44elongated about a circumference and spaced longitudinally thereof.

The outer tubular member 40 is provided with a similar radial notchadjacent the end which receives the inner tubular member 42. Aresilient, fiexible collar 49, hereinafter referred to as a key holder,is fitted over the outer surface of the tube 40 adjacent the recess 46.A key, generally designated as 48, is equipped with a pin 52 which fitsthrough the key holder 49 for limiting its axial motion. The key 50 isurged radially inwardly of the notch 46 when it is centered over it.

When one of the notches 44 of the inner tube 42 is in register with thenotch 46 in the outer tube 40, the key 50 will extend through the wallsof both of the tubes 40 and 42 to lock them in relative axial position.

It will be noted that the key 50 defines a camming surface 51 forextending between two aligned notches in the tubes 40 and 42. Thenotches 44 and 46 define beveled side surfaces 45 and 47 respectivelyfor receiving the camming surface 51 of key 50.

The ridge pole 12 is extended by holding the outer tube 40 in one handand the inner tube 42 in the other hand. If the key 50 is in a lockingposition, that is, if it extends inwardly of two aligned notchesrespectively in the tubes 40 and 42, the tubes are rotated relative toeach other such that the key 50 is cammed, as seen in FIG. 7, radiallyoutward from the tube 42. The tube 42 is then pulled axially relative tothe outer tube 40 to achieve the proper length of the telescoped pole.The inner tube 40 is rotated back in to a position wherein one of thenotches 44 is aligned with the key 50. The key 50 will then hold the twotubes 40 and 42 in a locked axial position, as described above.

With the locking joint and extensible ridge poles thus described indetail, the method of erecting a tent according to the present inventionwill now be illustrated. As seen in FIG. 9, the lower hem or base of thetent is staked out by means of stakes 50 to define the lower perimeterof the tent in its erected state. Referring to FIGS. 8, 9 and 10, withthe tent lying on the ground, the telescoping ridge poles 12 are placedthrough loop 12a at support positions for holding the tent and extendedto approximately the distance between front and back grommets. Each ofthe ridge poles 12, as mentioned before, is provided with a female partof the abovedescribed lock- 1ng joint. The depending L-shaped leg partsof the female segments of the locking joints take the same radialorientation relative to the ridge pole when the telescoping members ofthe ridge poles are in a locked position since each of the female partsmust be holding its associated eyelet when the ridge pole is in alocked, extended position.

Flaps are appended to the tent at each end of a ridge formed by thesalient angles between the roof surfaces and between the roof and wallsurfaces. The L-shaped member of the female part of the locking joint isinserted through the grommets provided in the flaps. Each of the ridgepoles 12 is then extended in the direction of the arrows of FIG. 9, to atelescoped position defining a line of tensioned canvas along a ridgebetween the grommets As described in connection with FIG. 4 andillustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11, the outer surface 26a of the leg part 26will bear against the inner surface of grommet 18 thereby hooking theflap when the female part of the locking joint is offset. In thissemi-assembled state, the roof of the tent has proper ridges formed init and each of the appended flaps on the tent lying along a ridge orline of tensioned canvas is firmly held by the pull of the canvasagainst the depending hook of the female part of its associated ridgepole. The grommets are prevented from slipping 01f the offset femalepart of the locking joint by the foot 28 which extends below thegrommet.

After each of the ridge poles 12 is similarly attached to the roof ofthe tent by placing it through the loops 12a and engaging the grommetsat the appended flaps as described above, the support poles are lockedto the ridge poles 12 as described below. However, it is noted here thatwith the ridge poles thus attached to the tent, they may not be removedwithout being telescoped to a contracted position. Hence, a ridge polemay be lifted and held with one hand; and as it is raised, the roof ofthe tent is raised along with it (FIG. 10).

In the preferred method of raising the tent, the center ridge pole isthus raised and held with one hand, the center support pole is placedbeneath the grommet defining the eyelet in the appended flap of thetent, as shown for a side ridge pole in FIG. 10, and the male part ofthe locking joint which is attached to the support pole, is insertedthrough the grommet and the receiving aperture in the female part of thelocking joint. With one locking joint thus connected, the other end ofthe center ridge pole is similarly erected thereby raising the center ofthe tent. The side walls are then erected, first one end and then theother is connected, and the tent is raised.

In FIG. 11 is illustrated a connected locking joint showing the appendedflap and its grommet 18 which are held in place by the leg 26 of thefemale part of the locking joint. The pin 34 of the male part of thelocking joint is shown as inserted through the grommet and the receivingaperture of the female part.

The ground-engaging support poles may themselves be extensible forgetting a better trim on the raised tent, but it is not necessary forthe practice of the invention. With the erection procedure thusdescribed, it can be seen that a complete tent may be erected by asingle person without assistance.

In its broader aspects, the method of the present invention is notlimited to use with telescoping ridge poles since hinged poles, or evenrigid straight poles (if the flaps are stretched over hooking means) forexample, may be used; nor is it limited to use with the preferredembodiment of the locking joint which has been illustrated since otherhooking means may be suitably employed with like results.

In FIG. 12 is shown an alternate embodiment of the locking jointdescribed above. In this embodiment the ridge pole, designated as 12,lies along its usual horizontal position, but the support pole 12 isinclined outwardly from the side wall of the tent for wind support orsimilar purpose, such that the angle between the ridge pole and supportpole is slightly greater than 90.

The support pole 12 is constructed similar to the one described above,the only difference being in the female part of the locking jointwherein the plate 20 has a decreasing taper from the bottom to the topsuch that the tab 22 is inclined upwardly.

Whereas specific embodiments have been described and illustrated, it isobvious that equivalent steps and structures, for example hinged ratherthan telescoping ridge poles, will accomplish the object of the presentinvention without deviating from its principle, and it is intended thatsuch modifications be covered as they are embraced within the spirit andscope of the appended claims.

We claim:

1. A method of erecting a tent having side walls, a roof integraltherewith defining ridges, and appendages defining eyelets at the endsof the ridges comprising: hooking the eyelets defining a ridge withextensible ridge poles; extending the ridge poles to force saidappendages apart thereby defining a line of tensioned canvas along theridge, said appendages cooperating with said tent to limit the extensionof said ridge poles; and coupling said ridge poles to ground-engagingpoles for support.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein each of said extensible ridge polesincludes hook means at each end, said method further comprising:inserting said hook means in said eyelets whereby when said ridge polesare extended, said hook means are thereby fastened to said eyelets toform said lines of tensioned canvas.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein said tent is provided with loops alongsaid ridges intermediate said eyelets further comprising: fastening thebase of said tent to the ground; inserting said ridge poles in saidloops; and extending said ridge poles to the approximate distancebetween said eyelets before inserting said hooks therein.

4. The method of claim 2 wherein each of said hook means of said ridgepoles further comprises: a tab attached to the end of said pole definingan aperture having an axis generally perpendicular to the axis of thepole and a depending L-shaped member defining a leg and a foot integralwith said tab for insertion in said eyelet and so constructed andarranged that said aperture is aligned with said eyelet when said ridgepole is extended, said support pole defining a pin for insertion throughsaid eyelet and said tab aperture thereby locking said eyelet to saidpoles.

5. For use with a tent having first and second spaced eyelets defining aridge, apparatus comprising: an elongated, extensible pole; and firstand second hook means attached respectively to the ends of said pole forinsertion in said eyelets whereby when said hook means are coupledrespectively to said eyelets, said pole may be extended thereby forcingsaid eyelets apart by engagement with said hook means to tension thecanvas between said eyelets fastening said pole to said tent along saidridge.

6. The pole of claim 5 wherein each of said hook means further comprisesa tab attached to the end of said pole defining an aperture having anaxis generally perpendicular to the axis of said pole and an L-shapedmember defining a leg and a foot depending from said tab whereby whensaid L-shaped member is inserted in an eyelet such that the aperture insaid tab is aligned with said eyelet and a pin is inserted through saidaperture and said eyelet to engage the side of said aperture, said taband said foot limit the motion of said eyelet.

7. A joint for locking first and second elongated tent poles intransverse relation at a location on a tent provided with an eyeletcomprising: means attached to said first pole including a male member;and female means attached to said second pole for receiving said malemember of said first pole and including a depending member comprising aleg and a foot integral with said leg, said leg extending through saideyelet and said foot extending away from said male member beneath saideyelet in locking position, said leg and male member cooperating to holdsaid eyelet.

8. The structure of claim 7 wherein said male member defines a pin andsaid female member defines an aperture for receiving said pin, said legof said depending member conforming to the contour of and adjacent tosaid pin in a locking position.

9. The structure of claim 7 wherein said leg of said depending memberextends through said eyelet and lies adjacent said male member in alocking position and wherein said female member further comprises a tabportion defining an aperture for said male member, motion of said eyeletbeing confined on one side by said tab and on the other side by saidfoot.

10. The structure of claim 9 wherein the combined width of said malemember and said leg portion of said female member in said lockingposition are slightly less than the diameter of said eyelet therebyforcing said foot beyond the periphery of said eyelet.

11. A female part of a joint for locking first and second elongated tentpoles in transverse relation at a location on a tent provided with aneyelet, said first pole having a pin extending axially thereofcomprising: means attached to the end of said second pole including atab extending generally in the direction of elongation of said pole anddefining an aperture for receiving said pin of said first pole, said tabincluding a generally L-shaped member having a leg portion dependingfrom said tab and a foot portion on said leg portion diposed away fromsaid tab and extending radially from the axis of said aperture, said pinof said first pole means and said leg portion of said second pole meanslying adjacent each other-in locked position and having a combinedtransverse dimension sufiicient to maintain said foot portion beyond theperiphery of said eyelet.

12. The joint of claim 11 wherein said tab is offset from the axis ofsaid second pole and lies in a plane generally perpendicular to said pinin said locking position, the angle between said first and second polesin said locking position being greater than ninety degrees.

13. The structure of claim 11 wherein said leg of said L-shaped memberextends perpendicularly to the plane of said tab and away from the axisof said pole, said foot of said member extending below said tab at adistance to accommodate said grommet intermediate of said leg.

14. The structure of claim 13 characterized by said L-shaped memberforming along the contour of said aperture thereby defining a concavecylindrical surface for engaging said pin in said locking position, saidgrommet lying between the base of said pin and said tab.

15. In a method of erecting a tent having an upper ridge and first andsecond side eaves, the steps comprising: expanding an extensible ridgepole coupled to said tent at opposite ends of said ridge to tension saidtent along said ridge and secure said ridge pole to said tent; expandinga first extensible eave pole coupled to said tent at opposite ends ofsaid first eave to tension said tent along said first cave and securesaid first eave pole to said tent; expanding a second extensible eavepole coupled to said tent at opposite ends of said second eave totension said tent along said second cave and secure said second eavepole to said tent; then locking a support pole to each end of said ridgepole and said first and second eave poles while securing one end of saidsupport pole to the ground to hold the tent erect.

16. In combination, a tent having a plurality of generally horizontalroof creases each having a tab defining an eyelet at each end thereof;an extensible roof pole for each crease; a first member of a lockingpair secured to "the end of each roof pole for extending through saideyelet and bearing against the outboard edge thereof, whereby extendinga roof pole having its end first members inserted in an associated pairof eyelets tensions the canvas along a crease; a pair of ground-engagingsupport poles for each of said roof poles; and a second member of saidlocking pair at one end of each of said support poles for locking withan associated first member of a roof pole.

17. The combination of claim 16 wherein each of said second members of alocking pair on said support poles includes a pin extending axially ofsaid support pole; and each of said first members of said locking pairincludes a leg member attached to the end of a roof pole and extendinggenerally radially thereof for insertion into an eyelet and defining asurface for engaging an outboard edge of said eyelet whereby when saidroof pole is extended said first and second legs attached to said poleurge an associated pair of said eyelets apart in a generally horizontalplane for receiving an upwardly extending pin on a support pole.

18. The combination of claim 17 wherein each of said first members ofsaid locking pair defines an aperture inboard of said leg memberaligning with an eyelet when said pole is attached to said tent along acrease for receiving a pin of a support pole, and wherein each of saidfirst members further includes a foot integral with the distal end ofeach leg and extending outwardly of said eyelet-engaging surface thereoffor slipping beneath an eyelet and holding the same in engagement withsaid leg when said pole is expanded.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 958,066 5/1910 Anderson --151,129,194 2/1915 Hanley 1353 1,538,064 5/1925 Skog 1351 1,730,56510/1929 Flintjer 135-15 X 3,327,723 6/1967 Burgin 135-1 KENNETH DOWNEY,Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R.

